Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 138 - Public Utilities Commission
Chapter 7850 - SITE OR ROUTE PERMIT; POWER PLANT OR LINE
Part 7850.1000 - DEFINITIONS

Subpart 1. Scope.

As used in parts 7850.1000 to 7850.5600, the following terms have the meanings given them.

Subp. 2. Act.

"Act" means the Power Plant Siting Act of 1973, as amended, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216E.

Subp. 3. Associated facilities.

"Associated facilities" means buildings, equipment, and other physical structures that are necessary to the operation of a large electric power generating plant or a high voltage transmission line.

Subp. 4. Commission.

"Commission" means the Public Utilities Commission.

Subp. 5. Certified HVTL list.

"Certified HVTL list" means the transmission projects certified by the Public Utilities Commission as priority projects under Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.2425.

Subp. 6. Developed portion of the plant site.

"Developed portion of the plant site" means the portion of the LEPGP site that is required for the physical plant and associated facilities.

Subp. 7. Environmental assessment.

"Environmental assessment" means a written document that describes the human and environmental impacts of a proposed large electric power generating plant or high voltage transmission line and alternative routes or sites and methods to mitigate such impacts.

Subp. 8. Environmental impact statement or EIS.

"Environmental impact statement" or "EIS" means a detailed written statement that describes proposed high voltage transmission lines and large electric power generating plants and satisfies the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 116D.04.

Subp. 9. High voltage transmission line or HVTL.

"High voltage transmission line" or "HVTL" means a conductor of electric energy and associated facilities designed for and capable of operating at a nominal voltage of 100 kilovolts or more either immediately or without significant modification. Associated facilities shall include, but not be limited to, insulators, towers, substations, and terminals.

Subp. 10. Large electric power facilities.

"Large electric power facilities" means high voltage transmission lines and large electric power generating plants.

Subp. 11. Large electric power generating plant or LEPGP.

"Large electric power generating plant" or "LEPGP" means electric power generating equipment and associated facilities designed for or capable of operation at a capacity of 50,000 kilowatts or more. Associated facilities include, but are not limited to, coal piles, cooling towers, ash containment, fuel tanks, water and wastewater treatment systems, and roads.

Subp. 12. Mail.

"Mail" means either the United States mail or electronic mail by e-mail, unless another law requires a specific form of mailing.

Subp. 13. Person.

"Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, private or public corporation, association, firm, public service company, cooperative, political subdivision, municipal corporation, government agency, public utility district, or any other entity, public or private, however organized.

Subp. 14. PUC.

"PUC" means the entire Public Utilities Commission, including the commission and staff.

Subp. 15. Right-of-way.

"Right-of-way" means the land interest required within a route for the construction, maintenance, and operation of a high voltage transmission line.

Subp. 16. Route.

"Route" means the location of a high voltage transmission line between two end points. A route may have a variable width of up to 1.25 miles within which a right-of-way for a high voltage transmission line can be located.

Subp. 17. Route segment.

"Route segment" means a portion of a route.

Subp. 18. Site.

"Site" means an area of land required for the construction, maintenance, and operation of a large electric power generating plant.

Subp. 19. Utility.

"Utility" means any entity engaged or intending to engage in this state in the generation, transmission, or distribution of electric energy including, but not limited to, a private investor owned utility, a cooperatively owned utility, a public or municipally owned utility, a limited liability company, or a private corporation.